CSA Bonus Bucks

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40 families joined CSA this season with the help of CSA Bonus Bucks! We are thrilled that the program is so popular. Unfortunately, we are out of funding for this season. Please let us know if you'd like to be one of the first to find out when funding becomes available for next year's program.

If you'd like to support CSA Bonus Bucks, please donate here, and write CSA Bonus Bucks in the message secion. Thank you!.

Community Supported Agriculture, or CSA, is way to buy local seasonal food directly from a farmer.

At the beginning of the season, you purchase a “share” of whatever the farm produces for that season, and each week you get a box with your share in it; typically it’s vegetables, but it can also be fruit, meat, maple syrup, eggs, herbs, whatever the farm grows.

CSA Bonus Bucks makes CSA affordable by offering a $100 discount off the cost of a share at the CSA farm of your choice for people with limited incomes.

Here’s how it works...First, determine if you qualify. The total gross yearly income of all your household members combined must be at or below these levels:

If you have 1 person in your house hold, your annual income must be less than $30,000.If you have 2 people in your house hold, your annual income must be less than $37,000.If you have 3 people in your house hold, your annual income must be less than $44,000.If you have 4 people in your house hold, your annual income must be less than $51,000.

Limit: one per household per year. If you are a dependent on someone else’s tax return who does not meet these levels, you do not qualify for CSA Bonus Bucks.

Second, choose a CSA. A list of 2014 participating CSA farms is available at this link or to download below. Every farm works differently, every farm produces different food, has different seasons, different drop-off or pick-up options, and different pricing; some have full shares and half shares depending on the size of your family or your needs, some offer different payment options, some offer the opportunity to work at the farm. Each farm is different so you need to find a CSA farm that works for you and join. Ask for references, talk to your friends and neighbors. Talk to the farmers. Make sure that the CSA farm you choose meets the needs and desires of you and your family.

Third, dowload the application below, fill it out, and give it to the CSA farm when you buy your share. You will pay the farm for your share, minus $100 in CSA Bonus Bucks.

WE ASK that you contribute at least $25 of your own money to the cost of your CSA share.

You may be able to pay for the rest of your share with your EBT/Food Stamp benefits. If this option interests you, please call for details. 315-261-8054.

If downloading the application and farm list don't work for you, please let us know and we'll be glad to drop one in the mail to you. Either email info@gardenshare.org, or call us at 315-261-8054.

Please note:

CSA Bonus Bucks is a program of GardenShare, a nonprofit organization that works to make wholesome food available to all of us.

GardenShare is not itself a CSA farm. We simply introduce you to CSA farms that accept our CSA Bonus Bucks.

The list below is for reference. Please contact the farms directly for more information about shares, plans and costs.

GardenShare does not certify or endorse any of the CSA farms listed here. It is your responsibility to choose a farm that meets your needs.

Tax-deductible donations to GardenShare help make CSA affordable for people on limited incomes.Click here to make a donation to help extend CSA Bonus Bucks to more families.

Support for this program was provided by GardenShare supporters, Upper New York United Methodist Women Mission Projects, and Northern New York Community Foundation's Youth Philanthropy Council at Potsdam Central School.